Reds-Red Sox lineup, notes

Just got to City of Palms Park in Fort Myers moments after the Red Sox finished destroying Northeastern Univ., 14-0. That must have been fun for the college boys. For my money, City of Palms is one of the best ballparks in the Grapefruit League, up there with Clearwater. It’s just a nice place to watch a game. This is the first of three stops in Fort Myers in the next week. The Reds play the Red Sox again here on Tuesday and the Twins on Friday at the Lee County Complex.Also for Reds fans/Cincinnatians making the trips, there is a Skyline Chili in the city about 10-15 minutes from both the Red Sox and Twins ballparks. I frequented it a lot when I used to do Spring Training here and it’s solid. They do it right.

The Reds agreed to one-year contracts with 1B Joey Votto and RHP Daryl Thompson. Four players on the 40-man roster remain unsigned.

LHP Pedro Viola was named as a late addition to the Dominican Republic team for the World Baseball Classic. Viola was at Class AA Chattanooga last season.

It’s the last game before the WBC for players like Votto, Hairston, Taveras and Hernandez.

“I will have to keep up with the guys that are gone, see how they do,” manager Dusty Baker said. “Hopefully, I will not get an injury updates.I will speak to them tomorrow and see them in the morning before they leave. They know what to do. They came into camp in shape so I expect them to stay in shape. I just hope they get enough work and they all play or pitch.”

Votto is off to a nice start through three games, batting .429 (3-for-7) entering Saturday. A nother good sign came when he hit a homer to left field Friday vs. the Phillies. His homer in the intrasquad game Tuesday was to center field.

“I do worry about that. I want to spread the ball around the field,” Votto said. “I’ve had the swings that I used during the season.”

Votto smartly points out that he doesn’t put much stock in Spring Training results.

“I could hit .500 or .200 and I will be the exact same person for Opening Day,” he said. “From that point on, it really matters to me.”

We learned today that the Reds have a new nutritionist named Michelle Macedonia. Before the bus left for Fort Myers, she held a meeting in the Sarasota clubhouse.

“I was very impressed,” Baker said. “It’s what Hank [Aaron] used to stress to us all the time – taking care of yourself and eating right. It’s the days where we have fast food kids. They have to learn. We’re not trying to take it all from them but if you eat better and take care of yourself better, your body will stay healthier, you’ll have a healthier life in the long run and hopefully stay healthier in the short run for us and their career.”

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